Cutting machine for cotton strips and the like



Oct.'6, 1942. J. R. MOLAUGHLINI CUTTING MACHINE FOR COTTON STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 5 $hee1; s-Sheet l .w mm r NW EA Wm /M@.. R M N H O J M t: B

ATTORNEY.

1942- J. R. MCLAUGHLIN 9 CUTTING MACHINE FOR COTTON STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR JOHN R. MCLAUGHLIN.

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 6, 1942. J. R. McLAUGHLIN CUTTING MACHINE FOR COTTON STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m 6 Mu Wm M ,R.

I ZTTORNE 1942- J. R. McLAuGHLlN 2,298,221

CUTTING MACHINE FOR COTTON STRIPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JOHN R. MCLAUGHLIN.

BY 9W W7 ATTORNEY. I

Oct. 6, 1-942. J. R. McLAUGi ILlN 2,298,221

I CUTTING-MACHINE FOR COTTON sT I'Ps AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1940 5 Sheets-Shee t 5 .INVENTOR.

\ JOHN R. MCLAUGHLIIV.

Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE CUTTING MACHINE FOE COTTON STRIPS AND THE LIKE John R. McLaughlin, New Brunswick, N. J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to- Tampa: Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation Delaware Application July 15, 1940, Serial No. 345,604

3Ciaims.

This invention relates to cutting machines and more particularly to cotton strip cutting devices, although it may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a continuous cutting'machine for loose tex- 1 ture sheet material such as cotton and similar materials to provide uniform lengths thereof without manual intervention.

There is a requirement for uniformity in cotton strips and similar sheet materials for conversion into articles of manufacture on a production basis. The handling of these materials in large production has created problems throughout their conversion into any'desired article of manufacture. A noteworthy require- 0 ment for large numbers of uniform strips of sheet material such as cotton is the conversion thereof into catamenial device. The initial step is in the provision of uniform strips of cotton that is usually supplied in large rolls. The first step in the production operation is the conversion of this rolled cotton into uniform strips for their conversion into the desired form as a final article of manufacture for which the market demands uniformity, precision in size, and an adetinuity of operations without manual intervention.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a continuous cutter embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an individual movable cutter blade constituting part of the device shown-in Figure 1.

Figure is a perspective view of a stationary blade mount uitlized in conjunction with the instrumentalities shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 'is a fragmentary enlarged side view in elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a front view in elevation of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional side view in elevation taken substantially along line VI-VI of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a strip of sheet material that is severed from the roll with instrumentalities of the type shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, parts quate supply to carry on continuous production operations in the manufacture thereof.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of cutting machines for segregating sheet material into uniform strips of predetermined size.

thereof being broken away to clarify the showing.

Figure 9 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantally along line IX--IX of Figure 8, there being shown a roll of cotton or other sheet material capable of being converted into strips of predetermined size with the instrumentalities embodying features of the present invention. v

Figure 10 is' an end view in elevation of a roll of sheet material shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line-Xl XI of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a sectional viewin elevation taken substantially along line XII-XII of Figure 1.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a substantially rectangular frame In supported at any suitable elevation from the floor or other supporting surface by means of end rial such as cotton into uniform strips of predetermined size having a sharp outline.

A still further object is to provide an improved rotary cutter that is self-sharpening and imparts a sharp outline to the material in the conversion thereof intostrips of predetermined size.

Still a further object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and dependable cutter that converts standards II and I2 cast or otherwise shaped to present forward and rearward end members that are bolted or otherwise attached to the horizontal rectangular frame Ill. Suitably shaped heavy side plates l3 and M are attached as at 15 and It to the end standards |ll2 to serve as supports for instrumentalities to be hereinafter described. A top surface plate ll preferably thought not essentially of Bakelite or other suitable sanitarynon-friction surface material, is fixed to the frame In to extend over sheet material into uniform strips for a .conthe-rearward half thereof to serve as a support for end brackets l8 and I9 anchored thereto as at 28 and 2|.

The end brackets l8 and I9 confront each other and present upstanding supports 22 and 23 that are suitably grooved as at 24 and 25 to carry a rod 26 therebetween. A roll of suitable sheet material 21 such as cotton usually in convolute or spiral form around a tubular core 28, is supported bythe rod 28 to provide a continuous fiat sheet 29 along the top surface plate |1 (Figure means of a sprocket 31 that is secured to an externally projecting portion of the shaft 36 to receive a sprocket chain 38 thereover. The sprocket chain 38 meshes with another sprocket 39 carried by a shaft 48 journalled near the lower edge of the side plates |3|4 proximate to the mid-section thereof. As shown, an idler sprocket pinion 4| is mounted on a plate 42 adJ'ustably bolted as at 43 to the intermediate sprocket wheels 31.39 to the side plate M to maintain the sprocket chain 38 at the desired tension.

It is to be noted that the shaft 48 carries a cylindrical conveyor roller 44 which is mounted below the horizontally aligned convey r rollers 33-34 and forwardly thereof to provide in endless belt conveyor 45 in conjunction with a forwardly disposed and horizontally aligned conveyor roller 46 joumalled on the shaft 41 supported in bracket arms 48 and 49 (Figure 1) fixed, bolted or otherwise attached as at 58 and to the forward standard l2. It willbe observed, therefore, that the upper conveyor belt 32 feeds the sheet material 29 to the forward edge 52 of the top surface supporting plate l1 (Figure 6).

A stationary blade 53 fits within an offset notch 54 provided in a block 55 having end trunnions 55' (Figures 3 and 8) projecting for fixed support between the side plates l3|4 to depend from the forward edge region 52 of the horizontal frame plate l1. .Threaded studs 56, in this instance three, extend through apertures 51 proa comparatively heavy shaft 68 journalled in bearings 8| and 82 fixed to the side plates |3|4;-

To accommodate the comparatively heavy bearings 6|62 on the main shaft 88, the frame I8 is inwardly recessed as at 83 and 64 in the region of the bearing 6|62 so that the flanges 85 and 88 thereof will rest therein. Suitably threaded studs 81 projecting through the flanges 85-88 of the bearings 6|82, these being circumferentially spaced to securely attach the bearings 8|82 in horizontalalignment for journalled 4 support of the cutter shaft 68 that extends 75 The forward cylindrical through openings 88 and 89 provided in the frame l8 and its side plates |3|4.

A knife mount 18 consisting of a solid body having a substantially cylindrical mid-section is axially bored to receive the shaft 88 therethrough.

Set screws 1| extend through the body 18 toengage the shaft 88 so that .the knife carrying body will rotate therewith in a counterclockwise direction (viewed from Figure 6). As shown,

10 the substantially circular knife carrying body 18 terminates in diametrically disposed arms 12 and 13, in this instance two, the opposing face thereof being suitably notched as at 14 and to provide a seat for blades 1.8 and 11. The blades 18 and 5 11 are each provided with a plurality of apertures 18 to receive threaded studs 18' therethrough for detachable connection with the arms 12-13 and present ground inclined edges 19 and 88 that cooperate with and just touch the ground cutting edge 58 of the stationary blade 53.

The mounting of the rotary cutter shaft 88 and the extension of the ground edges 1988 of the blades 18-11 thereon, is such as to present a shearing action with the stationary blade edge 58 so that these are in contacting engagement during rotation of the shaft 80 to present selfsharpening cutting edges 58 and 1980 in the path of the fiat sheet material 29 that is intermittently fed alongthe top surface frame plate I1 through the medium of the endless conveyor.

belt 32 as will appear more fully hereinafter. It

will be observed that the rotary cutter 58 is disposed above the endless conveyor 45 so that the strips 8| (Figures 6 and '7) of predetermined size that are sheared from the continuous sheet 29,

will be disposed upon the endless belt 45 and fed beyond the forward standard |2 of the machine ID to their desired destination for further conversion into an article of manufacture.

In order to provide the desired shearing cooperation between the stationary blade 53 and the rotary blades 161.1, the former is angular-1y adjustable to provide the desired coaction therebetween. This angular adjustment is effected through the medium of arms 82 fixed to the exposed studs 83 and 84 which are threadedly mounted in bracket plates 85 and 86, respectively. The bracket plates 8588 are attached to the side plates I3 and M of the frame l8 by means of fasteners 81. Lock nuts 88 are provided on the adjusting studs 83-84 so as to hold the arm 82 in any desired angular position against acci- "dental displacement. In consequence thereof, the stationary blade mount 55 can be adjusted to the desired angular position so that the ground blade edge 58 will be correctly disposed relative 5 tionary cutter blade 53 with the sheet material '29 intermittently displaced therebetween.

During the shearing engagement between'the cutters 53 and 18-11, a pronounced engagement is effected therebetween so that a clean 7 shearing reaction takes place to provide cleancut and non-fringed strips 8|. During the shearing reaction between the blades 83 and 1611, the sheet material 29 is intermittently held stationary during the moment of shearing engage ment. Forward displacement of the sheet 29 is effected during the interim of rotation of blades 16--11 free from engagement with the stationary blade 53. The speed of linear displacement of the sheet 29 together with the rotary speed of the cutter mount 59, determines the width of the trips 8I as will be more fully described hereinafter. In other words, the sheet material 29 is momentarily held stationary for each one-half revolution of the rotary cutter 59 and its shaft 60 at the instant that each of the blades 16-11 effect shearing engagement with the edge 58 of the stationary blade 53. v

The above described operating instrumentali- Through the pawl and ratchet mechanism III--II2, the oscillatory 'movement of the arm I01 is converted into intermittent rotation of the v shaft 36 which effects the intermittent linear disties are actuated from a common source of 'power such as an electric motor (not shown) preferably though not essentially having a V-grooved pulley fixed to and extending from the armature pulley thereof. A belt extends from the armature pulley (not shown) to a v-grooved pulley 89 to impart rotation thereto. The V-grooved pule ley 89 is mounted on a stub shaft 90 journalled in a bearing bracket 9I fixed to the side frame plate I4 by means of fasteners 92 (Figures 5 and 8). The stub shaft 90 carries a worm 93 for rotation therewith on the bearing bracket 9| to mesh with a worm wheel 94 carried by a, transversely disposed shaft 95.

The shaft 95 is journalled for rotation between the side plates I3-I4 of the frame I (Figures 1 and 8) serving as a support therefor. The shaft 95 also carries a spur gear 96 that is smaller in diameter than the worm wheel 94, it being laterally pos'itioned therebeyond to mesh with a comparatively larger spur gear 91 mounted on the cutter shaft 60 to impart continuous rotation to the cutter 59 and itsblades 16-11 responsive to the rotation of the shaft 95. The shaft 95 extends beyond the opposite side frame plate I3 to receive a crank 98 that rotates therewith. The crank 98 has an offset arm 99 to rotatively receive the enlarged cylindrical split bearing end I00 of a connecting rod I I0 having a bore correspondingly sized to the crank arm 99 for journalled rotation thereon.

The connecting rod I0 threadedly engages a pitman rod I02 (Figures 1, 4 and that terminates at its forward end in a connecting rod I03 threadedly connected'thereto. The connecting rod I03 has its enlarged bored portion I04 provided with a transverse pin I05 axially journalled therein for registry with an arcuate slot I06 provided in a correspondingly shaped pitman arm I01. A threaded and externally knurled retainer nut I08 extends axially from the pitman pin I05 for anchored threaded engagement therewith to maintain the connecting rod I03 with its pin I 05 in any position of adjusted attachment in the arcuate slot I06 within the limits thereof.

As a result, the effective length of the arcuate arm I01 maybe varied to change the'extent of oscillation of the shaft 36 to determine theextent of displacement of the conveyor belt 32.

. The position of engagement of the connecting rod I03 along the arcuate slot I06 determines the amount of flat sheet material as that is displaced or fed along a predetermined path with each intermittent motion. The pitman arm I01 terminates in an enlarged circular chambered boss I09 which is axially boredas at IIO for opplacement of the conveyor belts 32 and 45. The

.intermittent linear movement of the belts 32 and 45 is attained by virtue of the fact that the pitman arm-I01 oscillates so that on the return stroke thereof, the shaft 36 and its dependent sprocket wheels 31--39 through the sprocket chain 38, render the conveyor belts 32--45, respectively, inactive.

To this end, the rotary cutter 59 continuously rotates on the shaft 60 to effect shearing engagement with the stationary cutter 55 during momentary inaction of the conveyor belts 33-45. During the moment of inaction of the sheet material 29, the rotary cutter blades 16 -11 strike the stationary blade 53 to intermittently shear off strips 8| from the continuous flat sheet of material 29 that unreels from the spirally wound roll 21. The unreeling of the roll 21 is occasioned by the clockwise intermittent movement of the endless belt conveyor 32 which frictionally sustains the fiat sheet material 29 thereon to effect gradual feeding thereof over the stationary cutter blade 53. It will be observed that the position of the pitman pin I05 in the arcuate slot I06 of the pitman arm I 01, determines the extent of displacement of the conveyor belts 32-45 and corresponding feeding of the sheet material 29.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described'without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation of the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof, except as defined in the appended claims. 7

I claim: I

1. In a cotton strip cutting device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of endless belt feeding means on said frame for intermittently displacing sheet material along'a predetermined path, a stationary blade cutter in said predetermined path, a crank-arm for operating said endless belt feeding means, rotary v shearing means cooperating with said stationary blade cutter in said path, means for continuously operating said shearingand crank-arm means in timed relation with each other for severing said sheet material into strips of selected uniform size, endless belt means for conveying said sheared strips frome said shearing means along another predetermined path; and means for operatively interconnecting said endless belt feeding and strip conveyingmeans.

2. In a cotton strip cutting device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of endless belt feeding means on said frame for intermittently displacing sheet material along a predetermined path, a stationary blade cutter in said predetermined path, an' adjustable crank-aim for operating said endless belt feeding means, rotary multi-blade shearing means cooperating with said stationary blade cutter-in erative connectionthrough the medium of a standard pawl and ratchet mechanism III-H2 to the sprocket shaft 36. Consequently. the rotation of the crank 98 with its arm 99 will impart oscillatory movement to the pitman rod-I02 that imparts oscillatory movement to the pitman arm I01.

'uniform size, endless belt means for conveying said sheared strips from said shearing meansalong another predetermined path, and means for operatively interconnecting said endless belt feeding and strip conveying means.

3. In a cotton strip cutting device of the char-' acter described, the combination with a frame, of crank-arm feeding means on said frame for intermittently displacing sheet material along a predetermined path, a stationary blade cutter in said predetermined path, means for adjusting the angular position of said stationary blade cutsheet material into strips of uniform size, and

means for varying crank-arm feeding means to regulate the size of the strips.

. JOHN R McLAUGHLIN. 

